June 28, 2018

Session 5 Recap: Persuasion and influence in the Johnson administration

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Last week, the 2018 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars met for the fifth time at the LBJ Presidential Library on the campus of the University of Texas.

Here, Scholars heard from Lynda Johnson Robb, former administration officials, and President Johnson himself on tape, to gain unique insight into President Johnson’s leadership style — specifically his approach to persuasion and influence while working with civil rights leaders, government officials, the media, and beyond. Scholars then worked with Dr Mike Hemphill and Professor Michael O’Leary to explore persuasive styles and tactics, and began applying lessons learned to their own projects to improve their community, country, and our world.

Scholars were joined by former members of the Johnson administration including:

Tom Johnson, chairman emeritus, Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation Board, former CEO of the Los Angeles Times and CNN, and special assistant to President Johnson;

Lynda Johnson Robb, president of the National Home Library Foundation and a member of the advisory board of the Library of Congress Literacy Awards, and founding member of Reading is Fundamental;

Bill Moyers, broadcast journalist, founding organizer of the Peace Corps, and former Press Secretary to President Johnson;

Larry Temple, chairman, Lyndon B. Johnson Board of Trustees and former special counsel to President Johnson;

Mark Updegrove, president and CEO of the Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation; and more.

Mark K. Updegrove shared with the Scholars various phone conversations between President Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King, key legislators and other activists who were instrumental int the successful passage of civil rights legislation; Standing ovation from Presidential Leadership Scholars following a session hearing from President Johnson on tape. Photos by Jay Godwin for the Presidential Leadership Scholars program.

Scholars are welcomed by Lynda Johnson Robb during a visit to the “Texas White House” at the LBJ Ranch: “I hope you will see this as a place our whole family loved.” Photo by Jay Godwin for the Presidential Leadership Scholars program.

Scholars tour the “Texas White House” at the LBJ Ranch. Photo by Jay Godwin for the Presidential Leadership Scholars program.

An incredible session learning about civil rights era and the process of progress. Last time I saw Tom Johnson and @BillMoyers I was an intern at CNN in Atlanta and @BillMoyers was touring the newsroom because he was such a fan of what was being built https://t.co/OOrfQpE2eZ

This session concluded our visits to the four participating presidential centers — the George Bush Library in College Station, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, and the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. Throughout the program, the Scholars apply the lessons learned from these four presidents to enhance their own strategic partnerships, vision and communication, decision-making, and persuasion and influence. Look out for our next update in July from graduation at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas!

Applications are now open for the 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholars program. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about the Presidential Leadership Scholars, use #PLScholars or follow @PLSprogram on Twitter.